Sweaters and skis are great, but there's nothing better than opening up a present and finding a fun new toy inside, whether you're six or sixty-five.

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Da Vinci's Trebuchet

Da Vinci's Trebuchet

Age 8+ / $30

Make sure to glue the gear on in the right direction—that's step one, by the way—and an hour later you end up with a working medieval war machine inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's sketches. With the proper counterweight, it'll launch a barrge of marbles right into an approaching phalanx of green army men.

Da Vinci's Trebuchet

Age 8+ / $30

Make sure to glue the gear on in the right direction—that's step one, by the way—and an hour later you end up with a working medieval war machine inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's sketches. With the proper counterweight, it'll launch a barrge of marbles right into an approaching phalanx of green army men.

Parrot MiniDrone Jumping Sumo

Carson AdventurePak

Real binoculars, a working compass, a bright flashlight, and a piercing whistle—everything a junior explorer needs for a proper adventure.

Andrew B. Myers

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Poof Strato-Slam Rocket LED Night Flight

Age 5+ / $23

Stomping on the air-filled blast chamber fires a foam-tipped rocket 200 feet into the night sky. A green LED makes it easy to track—and find.

Andrew B. Myers

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Waba Fun Kinetic Sand

Age 3+ / $15

A physics lesson: Kinetic sand is a non-Newtonian material, which means the mixture of 98 percent sand and 2 percent polymer takes on different properties depending how much pressure you apply. In short, it's really weird and really fun.

Andrew B. Myers

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Magformers Designer Set

Age 6+ / $90

Inside the edges of each geometric shape are powerful magnets that snap the pieces together for a whole new type of building experience. Advanced sets come with gears and people, while the tough plastic keeps the magnets secure.

Andrew B. Myers

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Science Tech Two-Way Bug Viewer

Age 5+ / $10

Ever looked at a potato bug up close? Like a translucent armadillo, that thing. With a magnification of 6x from above and 4x from the side, this viewer gives kids a new appreciation for nature. Also, it's well-ventilated, so no casualties.